Abstract
We present preliminary results of the first attempt to compare feeding preference of oribatid species in conditions with and without a potential competitor. We employed two closely related oribatid species Porobelba spinosa and Spatiodamaeus verticillipes (Damaeidae).
We wanted to examine: (1) whether the interspecific competition is symmetrical for both oribatid species; (2) if it leads to shift in their preference or to competitive exclusion of one species; (3) whether the interspecific competition is more important than the intraspecific one.